Buzz
With just a few days left, 2022 will officially come to an end as the public prepares to step into 2023 with many new plans and aspirations.
Everyone must admit that alongside the joys, 2022 also faced its fair share of challenges. In particular, the global entertainment industry has seen numerous tumultuous events that stirred the public for a long time. Notable among them are Will Smith's unexpected slap to his colleague Chris Rock, and the scandal involving Ly Dich Phong and prostitution...
Let's recap the most sensational events that rocked the global entertainment industry in 2022.
Will Smith and the unprecedented slap
In an article published on December 5th, Reuters affirmed that Will Smith's slap directly to Chris Rock's face while the comedian was hosting the 2022 Oscar Awards was an unprecedented event.
At the time of the incident, all the guests were extremely surprised and bewildered by Will Smith's actions. Some viewers watching from home even thought it was just part of this year's Oscars event. However, that wasn't the case. The reason Chris Rock received a slap from Will Smith was allegedly due to some remarks made about the star's wife in the movie Bad Boys For Life.
Immediately afterward, Will Smith had to publicly apologize for his seemingly arrogant behavior. However, the actor still faced a barrage of criticism and a flurry of debates on social media. This action also immediately led to bitter consequences for Will Smith. Specifically, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decided to penalize Will Smith. Consequently, the actor was banned from participating in the Oscars as well as other events and programs organized by the academy for 10 years.
The prolonged legal battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard
In addition to Will Smith's slap, the public also couldn't stop talking about the courtroom battle between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard. This once-famous couple's lawsuit has lasted for what seems like an eternity.
In 2022, this lawsuit finally reached its conclusion. According to the court's ruling, Amber Heard was ordered to compensate Johnny Depp over 10 million USD (approximately 235 billion VND). Meanwhile, Johnny Depp was required to pay his ex-wife 2 million USD (about 47 billion VND).
This legal battle unfolded under the watchful eyes of the global public. The majority of people sided with Johnny Depp. As for Amber Heard, with the evidence presented, she faced criticism from the public.
This further tarnishes Amber Heard's image in the eyes of the public. It can be said that in recent years, the battle with Amber Heard has greatly affected Johnny Depp, especially his career. The actor lost many roles along with huge sums of money.
Ly Dich Phong's Prostitution Scandal
While Hollywood's entertainment industry dealt with its own scandals, the public's attention in China was drawn to the prostitution scandal of heartthrob Ly Dich Phong. His career completely collapsed after this scandal broke out.
On September 11th, Beijing police announced that Ly Dich Phong was administratively detained for 15 days for 'repeatedly soliciting prostitutes'. Moreover, the actor was caught in a hot clip, revealing a life of debauchery and scandals, completely contrasting with the image he had built for so long.
Immediately after the scandal, Ly Dich Phong was abandoned by the public, and numerous brands terminated contracts with him. Many brands even tore down and threw away all images of Ly Dich Phong in stores overnight. The organizers of the Golden Rooster Awards - one of China's largest film festivals - revoked two awards given to Ly Dich Phong in 2017, including Best Leading Actor and Most Popular Star.
After the scandal, Ly Dich Phong disappeared completely. Many sources claimed that the actor had moved abroad to live, even intending to develop his career. However, these are all rumors circulating among the public.
A notorious cybercriminal leaked private photos of Jennie and V, sparking controversy across social media.
In the realm of Korean showbiz, 2022 saw not only joyous news of celebrity weddings but also the uproar surrounding Jennie (BLACKPINK) and V (BTS) allegedly falling victim to a cyber hack, exposing a series of intimate photos believed to be taken during their rumored relationship. The leaked images became a hot topic on social media for an extended period.
Since May 2022, speculation of Jennie and V's relationship arose when a photo supposedly depicting the two idols driving together on Jeju Island circulated online. Both parties' management remained silent regarding this image.
However, the saga continued as a Twitter account named @gurumiharibo released a slew of images purportedly showing Jennie and V on dates. These images depicted the pair in close proximity, frequently taking selfies and even traveling together. While some fans dismissed these as manipulated images, others insisted they were genuine.
After enduring public scrutiny for not defending their artists, BTS's management finally spoke out. On September 29, BTS's management company confirmed filing lawsuits against those spreading malicious rumors about the group. Their statement hinted at personal attacks, leading many to believe it was in reference to the leaked photos involving Jennie and V.
Lee Seung Gi faces allegations of being exploited by his management company, allegedly deprived of his rightful earnings for 18 years.
On November 21, the investigative news site Dispatch unveiled an exclusive report exposing Lee Seung Gi's management company, Hook Entertainment, for allegedly withholding all profits from his music endeavors over the past 18 years. Despite releasing 137 songs and 27 albums, Lee Seung Gi reportedly received zero revenue from his music career.
Dispatch revealed that the company had erased financial records from 2004 to 2009, preventing Lee Seung Gi from verifying the amount he was owed. Following the report, Hook Entertainment issued an apology to Lee Seung Gi.
However, on November 23, Dispatch continued its expose by presenting evidence against Hook's CEO, Kwon Jin Young. The news outlet released audio recordings of the CEO threatening to use his influence to harm Lee Seung Gi. Notably, the recordings captured the CEO using vulgar language, banging on tables, and causing a commotion. Dispatch also leaked messages showing the CEO instructing managers to demand payment from Lee Seung Gi for meals and parking fees.
After much public uproar, on December 16, Hook Entertainment issued a formal statement announcing they had paid Lee Seung Gi 5.4 billion Won (approximately 98 billion Vietnamese Dong). However, the company claimed that Lee Seung Gi's requested amount differed significantly from the outstanding debt owed to him. Therefore, they decided to settle for 5.4 billion Won and extended a sincere apology to Lee Seung Gi.
In response, Lee Seung Gi confirmed receiving the payment. However, he stated that his determination to pursue legal action against Hook Entertainment was not solely about the money. He reiterated his commitment to the lawsuit and announced his intention to donate the received funds to charitable causes.
